Expressing support for the designation of the week beginning March 2, 2025, as "School Social Work Week".
H. Res. 196 is a non-binding House resolution introduced in the 119th Congress that expresses support for designating the week beginning March 2, 2025, as "School Social Work Week." The measure acknowledges the critical role of school social workers in supporting students who face barriers to learning, including mental health challenges, and notes that school social workers are licensed mental health professionals who contribute to assessment, counseling, family outreach, and community referrals within the school setting. It references the inclusion of school social work programs in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and calls on the public to observe the week with ceremonies and activities to raise awareness of the profession’s importance. The resolution is sponsored by Rep. Moore (WI), with Rep. Scholten (MI) and Rep. Garcia (TX) as co-sponsors, and was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce. As a House resolution, it does not create new law or authorize spending; rather, it signals congressional recognition and support for school social workers and for raising awareness about their role in student success and well-being.
Key Points
- 1It designates the week beginning March 2, 2025, as "School Social Work Week" in the United States (symbolic recognition by the House).
- 2It highlights the importance of school social workers, especially for students facing barriers to learning such as disability, poverty, abuse, homelessness, and mental health challenges.
- 3It emphasizes that school social workers are licensed mental health professionals who provide assessment, interventions, counseling, family outreach, and community referrals inside schools, and that they contribute to early identification and intervention for mental health needs and to school safety planning.
- 4It notes the connection to law, referencing that school social work programs and services are recognized in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
- 5It invites observance of the week through appropriate ceremonies and activities to promote awareness of the role of school social workers in both schools and the broader community.